Call for more interest in booze debate

Published on Friday 29 August 2008 10:21

PUBLIC Health Minister Shona Robison today urged people in Edinburgh and the Lothians to join the debate on tackling alcohol misuse.

There are just two weeks left to respond to the Scottish Government's consultation on its plans for minimum pricing, ending irresponsible promotions, raising the off-sales alcohol purchase age to 21 and imposing a social responsibility fee on some retailers.

Ms Robison said: "Our proposals for getting to grips with alcohol misuse have sparked a lively debate across Scottish society.

"This Government has taken the bull by the horns and put forward radical measures to re-balance Scotland's relationship with alcohol, because we don't want to see future generations suffer.

"We believe it's time for action. But we want the Scottish people to understand where we're coming from and tell us what they think. That's why I want to encourage people in Edinburgh and the Lothians to respond to the consultation before it closes on September 9."

She said once the consultation closed, the Government hoped to build consensus across the political spectrum and wider society as it finalised its policies.